Authentic assessment is a widely discussed concept in higher education, but it has a problem: the concept has become so all-encompassing that its meaning is now unclear. The notion has been expanded and diluted. For example, adding social justice to the definition or positioning exams as authentic, adds to the contradictions inherent within in the term. We argue for a more critical stance regarding the existing claims related to authentic assessment to ensure that the field remains evidence informed. From a position where we wholeheartedly believe in the aims and approaches of the authentic assessment movement, we conclude that for the sake of coherence and clarity, we should stop using the term 'authentic assessment' and instead turn our attention to focus on the component characteristics.